Age of Empires: Definitive Edition Gets Definitive Release Date

Microsoft announced today that Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will launch on February 20 for PC. This definitive edition -- sorry -- of the beloved RTS classic was announced last year and originally slated for October, but was delayed.

That date was intended to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original game's release date in 1997. Microsoft said at the time that the delay was necessary to give the team time to "treat the franchise with the respect it deserves."

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will feature redone assets, along with multiplayer functionality through Xbox Live, as well as some sweet sweet LAN support. It will also feature a new orchestral score and re-recorded soundtrack.

Campaign missions will feature voiced narrations and editing tools will let you create your own custom missions to share online. The game's UI has also be tweaked, with modern conveniences like attack-moves, control groups and a "find idle villager" button.

In the meantime, Microsoft is expanding the game's multiplayer beta. Beginning January 29, the it will be open to everyone. You can sign up for a slot here on the Age of Empires website.